briefs
briefs Lexical Profile
briefs Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Close-fitting, legless underpants or swimming trunks.
"He packed several pairs of cotton briefs and socks for the weekend trip."
Concise written summaries of facts and legal points prepared for a court case, or sets of instructions and information given for a task (plural of brief).
"The attorneys submitted their legal briefs to the appellate court ahead of the oral arguments."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to undergarments, 'briefs' is a pluralia tantum noun that always takes plural verb agreement and is frequently paired with 'a pair of' to denote a single item.
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the adjective 'brief', from Old French 'brief' and Latin 'brevis' (meaning 'short'), with the plural noun sense referring to short, legless undergarments emerging in the early 20th century.